John W. Pluta, CFA, is Executive Vice President at Declaration Management & Research LLC, a Manulife Asset Management Company. Mr. Pluta has 32 years of experience in fixed income investment strategy, product development and marketing. At Declaration, he has launched two distressed RMBS funds, several total return and absolute return structured finance mandates, a levered TALF fund, and customized liability-driven investment strategies for pension funds. Prior to joining Declaration in 2005, he worked in the John Hancock Bond & Corporate Finance Group in private placement debt and middle market mezzanine investing. He holds a B.A. with high honors from the University of Michigan. Declaration is a fixed income asset manager located in Boston, NYC and McLean, VA. The firm was formed in 1989 and has experience in structured finance strategies. Current assets under management are approximately $9 billion.